This is a quick and fun thing in Madrid that will appeal to chefs and foodies more than anyone else. Restaurante Botin, an unassuming restaurant behind Plaza Mayor, actually holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the oldest restaurant in the world. You’d never know from walking by. It looks a bit boring and breaks probably half of Gordon Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares” rules with the busy windows, etc.

On a tip from James (yes, that guy again. I’m not kidding when i say he made our time in Madrid spectacular. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Book a tour with Madrid Food Tour already!) we made a point of stopping by. See, James may or may not have mentioned that if the restaurant is closed, you can ask nicely and the staff often let people in to see the oven.

The oven is an enormous old school, real brick…